Bearing bracket assembly for a submersible motor driven pump

Abstract

An improved bearing bracket is provided for a submersible close-coupled motor and pump wherein the bearing bracket supports an outer non-rotating ring of a ball bearing that rotatably supports the motor shaft at a location between the motor and pump. The bearing bracket sealingly supports two concentric non-rotating seal elements that engage a radially extending flange mounted on the end of the motor shaft to provide a seal between the pump and the motor housings. The space between the seal elements is connected to a reservoir for supplying a lubricating and cooling medium for the seal elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bearing and seal assembly, comprising: a non-rotating bearing bracket;   a ball bearing having an outer non-rotating ring mounted in the bearing bracket;   a shaft;   a socket fixedly attached to the shaft, said socket and shaft being rotatably supported by the inner rotating ring of the ball bearing;   a pair of radially spaced concentric seal means on said socket;   a pair of radially spaced concentric seal means on said bearing bracket for sealingly engaging the pair of spaced concentric seal means on said socket;   a reservoir; and   conduit means connecting said reservoir to the space between said seal means whereby lubricating and cooling medium may be provided from the reservoir to the space for lubricating and cooling the seals.   
     
     
       2. An assembly as described in claim 1 in which the seal means comprise mechanical seals. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the seal means comprise non-rigid type seal members. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the outer bearing ring is rigidly attached to the bracket. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the socket is part of an electric motor and the assembly additionally comprises a pump including an impeller connected to the shaft. 
     
     
       6. An assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the reservoir is connected to the non-rotating bearing bracket. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the reservoir is located remote from the bearing bracket to facilitate inspection of the lubricating and cooling medium. 
     
     
       8. An assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said socket encompasses the outermost end of the shaft and includes a radially extending flange upon which are formed the radially spaced concentric seal means.